Rich Walnut Enhances a Contemporary Kitchen

The warm wood on the cabinets, island and simple display shelf makes for a welcoming space

Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm a journalist with more than 13 years' experience in publishing, and have worked on a wide range of magazines and websites. I'm passionate about interiors, so I'm proud and delighted to be part of the Houzz team.

Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm a journalist with more than 13 years' experience in... More

Two goals drove this London kitchen’s design. The first was a minimalist layout with enough storage to keep everything hidden, so it wouldn’t impinge on the rest of the open-plan room. The second was a warm aesthetic from the addition of rich walnut and display space.

“This project was great to work on,” says kitchen designer Jayne Everett. “The owners were lovely, and their choice of finish and layout helped to create a stunning space.”

“They love walnut, so we helped them to find a wood with the right depth of color and grain,” says Everett of her clients. “They also wanted a very simple design, with clean lines and everything hidden away.”

The kitchen is in a detached four-bedroom house built in the 1930s. Because the kitchen is part of a larger space, Everett wanted to make the cabinets feel more like furniture than just functional pieces.

The upper large drawers contain smaller walnut drawers where the owners can keep little items such as mugs and glassware.

“This helps to minimize the number of lines on the outside and simplify the look,” Everett says. “There are also peg dividers in the lower ones to keep the pans and crockery in place when the drawers are opened.”

The adjacent integrated fridge features a walnut handle rather than the recessed handles elsewhere.

“It gives a better pull for the heavy fridge door,” Everett says. “Also, if we’d gone for the recessed design, we’d have had a line running down the right-hand side. We thought a simple pull handle looked better.”

The black marble on the island is offset by a white Carrara marble countertop along the wall. “The owners were keen to have a distinctive pattern, so we went for one with a strong gray vein running through it,” Everett says. “Marble is a beautiful work surface, but it’s essential to properly seal and finish it to provide the best protection possible.”

The double undermount sink by Franke continues the minimal, unfussy look the owners were after. The faucet dispenses hot water, again to minimize clutter by avoiding the need for a kettle.

A long walnut shelf is the perfect spot for displaying plants, artwork and utensils. An LED strip light runs along the bottom. “It bounces light around and gives a lovely warm glow in the evening,” Everett says.

The limed-oak herringbone flooring was already in place, and it was sealed and protected. “It sets the whole space off and, together with the walnut, gives a warm, earthy feel to the kitchen.”

@celestina89 and @granny4five- ha, ha, you caught me out not actually reading the article. I think the part of me that wants to believe Star Trek will be reality just wanted to maintain the glorious illusion. I also forgot that gas pipes are very slim and would be easily concealed in legs of these dimensions. Still, very clever, me thinks.